Peru Aprocassi, City (mild) Roast, Fair Trade-Organic

Cupping notes: Chocolate/Lemon/Rhubarb

Region: Cajamarca, San Ignacio & Jaen
Altitude: 1,200-1,800m
Process: Washed
Certifications: Fair Trade, Organic

In 1999, smallholder farmers in San Ignacio in created Aprocassi Cooperativa to combat the environmental and livelihood destruction caused by mining. Today, Aprocassi counts 634 members who together farm over 1,535 hectares and produce an estimated 80 containers of coffee annually. The cooperative is Fairtrade and Organic certified and uses the price premiums from their certifications to support members producers through a variety of projects including income diversification through beekeeping and seedling nurseries.

Farmers usually process their coffee on their own farms using the Fully washed method. Cherry is usually pulped, fermented and dried in the sun. Traditionally, smaller farmers would use tarps laid on the ground or under the roof of their homes. Increasingly, cooperatives are establishing centralized drying facilities – usually raised beds or drying sheds where members are encouraged to dry their parchment. Some farmers are beginning to adopt these practices on their own farms, and drying greenhouses and parabolic beds are becoming more common as farmers pivot towards specialty markets. After drying, coffee will then be sold in parchment to the cooperative.